Consensus App Review | 2024

When I first heard about Consensus, I was intrigued.

As someone who frequently dives into research, I believe the promise of an AI search engine designed to speed up the process was too good to pass up. 📚

Consensus has access to millions of research papers across every domain of science and academia.

It claims to responsibly leverage AI to sift through massive data and deliver relevant results faster than ever.

But does it deliver and stand up to the hype? 🤔

I’ll share my experience with the AI tool in this Consensus app review.

Pros and Cons

What Is the Consensus App?

The Consensus App is an AI search engine designed for research. 

It covers over 200 million research papers in every field of science and academia.

One of its best features is how much time it saves. 

With AI tools like the Copilot and Consensus Meter, you can gain insights faster. 

These tools help you quickly filter through vast amounts of data and find the most relevant information. 📚

Consensus uses OpenAI and custom large language models (LLMs) to improve searches. Its special academic search tools and filters ensure you find the best papers. 

It also cites every source, keeping things transparent and credible.

The app has over 1,000,000 researchers, students, doctors, and professionals using it. 

In this Consensus app review, we’ll look at how the AI tool works and if it meets its promises.

Searching Research Papers Using the Consensus App

Searching for research papers with the Consensus App is like using Google Scholar with ChatGPT. 

This AI-powered tool makes finding the best research papers for your questions easier.

The app is user-friendly. Even beginners can use it effectively. 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

How to Search Research Papers Using the Consensus App?

Searching research papers using the Consensus App is simple and efficient. Follow these easy steps to get the most out of this powerful AI tool.

Step 1: Sign Up

To sign up on the Consensus App, click the “try for free” option at the top of the screen. You’ll be redirected to the sign-up page.

You can sign up using Facebook or Google or enter your details manually. 

However, you must verify your email before you can use the app. ✅

Step 2: Enter Your Question

After signing in, you’ll be taken to your Consensus homepage.

Type your question in the search box and click the search button.

Step 3: View Results

Consensus will quickly find the best research papers based on your question.

It offers a helpful guide that explains the app’s features. 📖

The AI will show the exact answer to your question in a gray box.

To view the entire paper, click on the title.

Step 4: View Study Snapshot

To learn more about a study without reading the entire paper, use the Study Snapshot feature.

The AI extracts details from the paper, including the sample size, method used, and outcome.

Each snapshot costs 1 AI credit per paper.

Step 5: Filter Results

Select the filter option below the search bar to filter your research papers. 🔍

You can filter by options like the year of publishing, method used citations, and more.

Step 6: Share Your Results

To share your search results, click on the share option.

A link will be copied to your clipboard.

You can also share via “X” (formerly Twitter).

Using the Synthesize Feature

While searching for your question, you can toggle on the Synthesize option. 

This lets the AI read several papers and combine the findings into one summary. 📰

It analyzes up to 20 papers simultaneously and generates a single-line summary that answers your question.

Each synthesize request costs 1 AI credit.

There is also a Consensus meter that shows the research’s leaning. 

For example, for my research, 71% of papers leaned towards “yes,” giving me a clear picture. 

Using the Synthesize feature saves time and concisely overviews complex research topics. 

Using the Copilot feature

The Copilot option lets you chat with the papers as your research assistant. 

You can ask it to generate content for your question based on the research. 💻

Each chat request costs 1 AI credit.

When you use Copilot, Consensus runs the search engine and responds with a detailed literature review. 

It also includes citations. You can click on the citations to read the entire paper.

Copilot can analyze up to 10 papers at a time.

This feature provides an in-depth overview and is especially helpful for comprehensive research. 

It ensures you have all the necessary information, making your research process smoother and more efficient.

Saving Consensus Searches and Research Papers

Once I started using Consensus regularly, re-entering the same queries became tedious. 😪

Then, I discovered the option to save searches and create lists of research papers for easy access later.

To save a search, select the “Save search” button on the search results page. You can then add your search to your “My Favorites” list or create a custom list.

For individual papers, click the “Save” button to add them to a list. 

This feature makes organizing and accessing your research much more convenient.

Does Consensus Offer Paid Plans?

Consensus uses a freemium model. This means the free plan offers all the features but has limited usage. 

For unlimited access, you need to subscribe to their paid plans. 💵

There are two paid plans: Premium and Teams.

The Premium plan removes all limitations on study snapshots, synthesis, and the Copilot feature. 

You can ask the Consensus app AI unlimited questions. 

This plan is perfect for individual researchers needing extensive access.

The Teams plan is great for small teams or research institutions. 

It offers the same features as the Premium plan but adds API access, which allows organizations to integrate Consensus with their systems. 👥

Both plans are reasonably priced for the features they offer.

They provide excellent value for those who need more extensive research capabilities.

Apart from these two plans, there is also a custom-priced plan, which Consensus offers for universities. 

Keep reading to discover how much these plans will cost you each month.

Who Should Use the Consensus App?

Consensus App has a variety of uses.

But is this the most suitable research app for you? Let’s find out. 

Students

Students can use the Consensus App to streamline their research. 

The app helps them find relevant papers quickly. 📱

With features like Copilot and Synthesize, students get summaries and detailed insights without sifting through countless documents.

Researchers

The Consensus App offers researchers a powerful tool to enhance their work. 

It provides access to over 200 million papers, making finding and analyzing relevant studies easier. 

The ability to synthesize findings from multiple papers into a single summary is invaluable. 👩🏻‍🔬

Science Organizations

Science organizations will find the Consensus App essential for managing extensive research projects. 

The app’s AI capabilities help efficiently organize and access vast data. 

This ensures research teams stay on top of the latest findings.

Clinicians and Doctors

Clinicians and doctors can use the Consensus App to stay updated with the latest medical research. 🧑🏻‍⚕️

The app provides quick access to relevant studies and offers synthesized summaries. 

This helps healthcare professionals make informed decisions based on the latest evidence.

Universities

Universities can benefit from the Consensus App by providing students and faculty with a robust research tool. 

The Teams plan allows API access, enabling integration with the university’s systems. 

This enhances the research capabilities of the entire institution.

Writers and Journalists

Writers and journalists can use the Consensus App to gather reliable information quickly. 

The app’s ability to synthesize data from multiple sources ensures they have accurate and comprehensive information. ✍🏻

This is useful for writing informed and well-researched articles.

Health and Fitness Experts

Health and fitness experts can use the Consensus App to access the latest research in their field. 

The app helps them find relevant studies and provides concise summaries. 

This allows them to stay informed and provide evidence-based advice to their clients. 🏋🏼‍♀️

How Much Does Consensus App Cost?

In this Consensus App Review, let’s look at the cost of using the Consensus App. 

Consensus offers three paid plans for its users.

The Premium plan is perfect if you want to conduct extensive research. 🔬

The free plan gives you only 20 free AI credits each month. But with the Premium plan, you get unlimited AI credits. 

This plan costs $11.99 per month and is for a single user.

The second paid plan, Teams, is better for research organizations.

It also offers unlimited AI credits, lets you manage accounts and billing, and provides API access. 

The Teams plan is priced at $12.99 per seat per month. 💰

These monthly plans are quite affordable compared to other research tools like ExplainPaper. 

You can get an extra 25% discount if you subscribe to the annual plan.

Additionally, students get an extra 40% off the Premium and Teams plans.

Does Consensus App Offer a Free Trial?

While the app does not provide a traditional free trial, it offers a free plan that is quite similar.

With the free plan, you get 20 AI credits per month. 

This allows you to experience many of the app’s features without cost. It’s a great way to test the app and see if it meets your research needs. 🔍

Although the free plan has some limitations, it provides enough access to understand how Consensus can streamline your research process. 

If you find the app useful, you can upgrade to a paid plan for unlimited access.

What if You Don’t like Consensus’s Paid Plans?

While the app is useful, what if you do not want to use it anymore? 🤔

In this Consensus App Review, let’s discuss what happens if you don’t like Consensus’s paid plans.

Unfortunately, no refunds are offered for the paid plans. 

If you decide to stop using the app, you must continue until the end of the current billing cycle.

However, you can easily cancel auto-renew for the next cycle. 

This ensures you won’t be charged again once your current subscription ends.

Should You Use the Consensus App for Your Research?

The consensus app offers access to over 200 million research papers, making it a strong tool for students, researchers, and professionals. 📚

Its AI-powered features, like Copilot and Synthesize, save time by providing quick, relevant insights.

The free plan lets you try its capabilities, while the paid plans offer unlimited access and more features. 

However, there are no refunds, and you need to finish the billing cycle if you cancel. 

The Consensus app is worth exploring if you need a comprehensive and efficient research tool.

FAQ

What Happens if I Run out of AI Credits on the Free Plan?

Once you use up your 20 free AI credits for the month, you will need to wait until the next month for them to refresh or consider upgrading to a paid plan for unlimited credits.

What Kind of Support Does Consensus App Provide?

Consensus App offers customer support to assist with any issues or questions. 

For universities and larger organizations, dedicated support is available with custom plans.

Is the Data on the Consensus App Reliable?

Yes, Consensus App uses credible sources and cites every paper it references, ensuring the information is reliable and trustworthy.

Sarim Khan